Toothpick dispenser



Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES carat OFFlCE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in dispensers particularly for tooth picks although it will be understood, of course, that the device may be used for dispensing any other articles for which it may be found adapted and desirable.

The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a dispenser of the character described which is adapted to dispense the t-oothpicks or other articles one or two at a time in an eiiicierrt, sanitary manner.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a dispenser of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing :and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in front elevation of a dispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the device.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a tray of suitable material which is designated generally by the reference numeral l. The tray i includes a base or bottom 2 from which side members 3 rise. The base 2 of the tray I extends forwardly beyond the side members 3 and terminates in an upwardly curved flange or lip 4 which facilitates removing the toothpicks or other articles from said tray.

The upper portions of the side members 3 have formed therein arcuate recesses 5 in which a substantially cylindrical housing 6 is fixedly secured. The stationary housing 6 is closed at one end, as at I, and open at its other end. Formed longitudinally in the front of the housing 6 is a delivery opening 8 having a beveled lower wall 9.

Rotatably and removably mounted in the housing 8 is a substantially cylindrical magazine H). The magazine 10 has formed longitudinally therein a plurality of outlet slots H for communication with the slot 8 in the housing 6. The slots I i are provided with substantially V-shaped trailing walls l2. This is shown to advantage in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The end iii of the cylindrical magazine it has formed centrally therein an opening l4 for the insertion of the toothpicks 15. On the other end of the magazine It] is an operating knob l6 which projects from the open end of the housing, 6. The inner portion of the knob therein a circumferential groove or channel I! in which a latch i8 is engageable for releasably securing the magazine ID in position, said latch l8 being pivo'tally mounted on the open end of the housing 6.

It is thought that the manner of using the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the latch I8 is disengaged from the groove or channel H to permit removal of the magazine [0 from the housing 6 for loading said magazine through the opening l4. After loading, the magazine [0 is replaced in the housing 6 and rotatably secured by the latch l8 which drops into the groove or channel l'l. Now, as the magazine It! is rotated through the medium of the knob IS, the toothpicks drop into the slots II as said slots pass :therebeneath. The magazine It is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawing. As rotation of the magazine 10 continues the toothpicks in the slots II are carried upwardly thereby toward the delivery slot 8, said toothpicks resting on the outer bevels of the substantially V-shaped trailing walls I2 of said slots ll. Now, as the slots H pass the slot 8 the toothpicks IS in said slots ll roll by gravity therefrom through said slot 8 and drop into the tray I from which they may be conveniently removed. An arrow on the knob I6 indicates the direction to turn the magazine Hi.

It is believed that the many advantages of a toothpick dispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangemerit of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A toothpick dispenser comprising a horizontal cylindrical housing having a longitudinal discharge slot therein, and a cylindrical magazine, for the reception of toothpicks, rotatably mounted in said housing and having a longitudinal slot l6 has formed 10 therein for registry with the first named slot, the second named slot for the reception of toothpicks for conveying said toothpicks -to the first named slot upon rotation of the magazine in one direction, said second named slot having a substantially V-shaped trailing wall, the outer bevel of said trailing wall, in conjunction with the housing, defining a groove for the reception of a single toothpick, the inner bevel of said trailing Wall constituting means for returning excess toothpicks in the second named slot .by gravity to the magazine.

2. A toothpick dispenser comprising a horizontal cylindrical housing open at one end, a

removable cylindrical magazine, for the reception of toothpicks, insertable through the open end of the housing and rotatable in said housing, a knob on one end of the magazine for rotating said magazine, the housing and magazine having slots therein for registry with each other for the discharge of the toothpicks upon rotation of said magazine, the magazine further having an annular groove in one end portion, and a latch pivotal-1y mounted on the open end of the housing and engageable by gravity in the groove for releasably and rotatably securing the magazine in the housing.

JULIUS A. LAUDIEN. 

